Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Match Prediction

By Dean Carr

Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich to the Emirates Stadium on 04/03/17 as the home side look to complete mission impossible in the Champions League. Arsenal’s top-four hopes took a dent last time out as they fell to a 3-1 defeat away to Liverpool on Saturday evening. Bayern, on the other hand, continued on the straight and narrow towards the Bundesliga title, beating Koln 3-0 away from home. Read on for a full match preview complete with betting tips and predictions.

Betting Tips and Predictions

Arsenal face what most would perceive to be a an insurmountable mountain to climb here, with a 4-0 win required to see them progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years. Bayern are extremely comfortable and I don’t expect them to lose here, despite Arsenal’s track record of turning up in games where the pressure is off. I’m going for a score draw.

Arsenal Preview

Arsenal dropped out of the top four at the weekend after dropping more points away from home to a top-six rival, losing 3-1 at Liverpool on Saturday evening. Roberto Firmino opened the scoring after just nine minutes, finishing from a low Sadio Mane cross before the Brazilian then returned the favour, playing in Mane who drove the ball low past Petr Cech. The introduction of Alexis Sanchez at half-time produced a significant lift amongst the rest of the Arsenal squad and the Chilean produced the desired impact, setting up Danny Welbeck who calmly chipped over Simon Mignolet. However, they were then caught on the break late on, as Adam Lallana found Divock Origi, who in turn crossed for Gini Wijnaldum to clinically convert in front of the Kop. Arsenal’s big game mental block has been well and truly highlighted in recent weeks, losing three of their last five. Those defeats have come against Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Liverpool and they have conceded a total of thirteen goals during that period, leaving them all but out of both the Premier League title race and Champions League. Already 5-1 down coming into this one, it would require more than a mere miracle for the Gunners to turn this around in what could be Arsene Wenger’s final Champions League match as Arsenal boss. With fan protests expected to take place throughout the build-up, expect a toxic atmosphere at the Emirates.

Bayern Preview

Bayern Munich maintained their recent impressive run of form as they comfortably saw off Koln 3-0 away from home at the RheinEnergieStadion, keeping a seven-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga table as a result. Javi Martinez opened the scoring for Bayern after twenty-five minutes, before fellow Spaniard Juan Bernat doubled their advantage just three minutes into the second half. Substitute Franck Ribery added gloss to the scoreline when he struck in stoppage time to add gloss to the scoreline. Bayern’s second-half demolition of Arsenal at the Allianz Arena in the first leg leaves them in a particularly commanding position coming into this one, with an early away goal putting to bed any slim hopes of an Arsenal turnaround. Carlo Ancelotti was brought to the club to bring success in the Champions League, and the comprehensive first leg victory went some way to validating his appointment, despite finishing second in their group beneath Atletico Madrid. Domestically, Bayern have been scoring goals at will of late, winning their last three on the bounce via an impressive tally of fourteen goals and none conceded. However, if they wish to progress to the latter stages of this competition they will undoubtedly need to improve their away record in Europe, winning just one of their last six on the road since the start of 2016.

Arsenal Team News

Mohamed Elneny (ankle) and Santi Cazorla (achilles) are both sidelined through injury. Mathieu Debuchy (hamstring) is unlikely to feature, while Mesut Ozil (back) will be assessed. Alexis Sanchez may return to the starting XI after starting on the bench last time out.

Bayern Team News

Douglas Costa came off with a knock at the weekend and it remains unclear whether the Brazilian will play any part here. Jerome Boateng (shoulder) is a doubt, while Renato Sanches it still suffering with a virus.

Arsenal saw over 1.5 goals in 8 out of their last 10 games played

Arsenal saw over 1.5 goals in 9 out of their last 10 games played against Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich saw over 1.5 goals in 9 out of their last 10 games played against Arsenal